Gambling in Canada

Canada has so much to offer. From breathtaking scenery to vibrant arts and entertainment offerings and more, there's no shortage of things to do and places to see.

And while their neighbors to the south have the Las Vegas Strip and Atlantic City that overshadow the Canadian casino prowess on an international level, anyone there or visiting would be remiss not to experience the best casinos of the region.

Not only that, but the accessibility of the action is fantastic, and the convenience of the online casinos available to residents is second to few.

Best Land-Based Casinos in Canada

Ontario is one of the hottest areas for casino action in Canada (over 25 in the province), and they are home to two of the best of the best in the country.

The first and most obvious is the gorgeous Niagara Casino, which is positioned steps from the Falls' famous Rainbow Bridge and featuring 1,500 different slot machines and 40 tables, and all that's not including poker rooms.

Opened in 1996, this hotspot has several bars and restaurants and an unmatched location, making Niagara Casino worth a visit beyond winning potential. And speaking of winning potential, Ontario's other crown jewel is Caesars Windsor Hotel & Casino.

In 2003, a woman visiting from Ann Arbor won a $2.6 million jackpot! There's no guarantee that it'll happen to you, but you sure will have a great time trying. With Caesar's world-famous service combined with Betfair's technological innovation, this is place is definitely worth the visit.

Ontario's casino options are awesome for when you're visiting the area, but if you're looking to travel with the sole purpose of enjoying a casino, British Columbia is the province, and River Rock Casino Resort is the spot. Opened in 2004 and featuring the large River Rock Show Theatre, not to mention 70,000 square feet of gaming space, you'll never be wanting for a thing to do. Plus, you'll be surrounded by the eclectic offerings of the local area, which blends quaint sights with high-end bites.

Think the River Rock sounded big? Well, to up the destination both in size and cultural experience, check out the Casino de Montreal, with five floors of gaming, 3,000 Slots, over a hundred tables, restaurants galore, and the unique, foreign feel of French and English speakers intermingling.

For the truly adventurous type who's looking for the biggest casino in the country and one of the biggest in the world, Casino de Montreal is definitely your spot.

And while the casino prospects aren't all that notable in every province, there are still two more, one in Nova Scotia and the other in Alberta, that are more than comparable to the BC, Montreal, and Ontario options, but get overlooked because of the fewer American tourists who cross the border to play.

Casino Nova Scotia is small but lively, with panoramic views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the seafood to match. Though it's small, its lack of mainstream notoriety provides a good amount of breathing room, and the atmosphere is always abuzz with the prospect of plenty of Slots and table games. Or you can go right outside of Edmonton to Enoch, where River Cree Casino Resort is basically hockey-themed.

With its own rink and a well-known hotspot for Oilers player sightings, if you like the sport and gambling in general, River Cree comes very highly recommended.

Canadian Gambling Laws

One aspect of gambling laws that are quite unique to Canada is the fact that they can change a bit depending on what province or territory you're in.

Doing a bit of research if you have a specific place in mind is pretty important if you're traveling around. With over a hundred different land-based casinos across the country, you have a large number to choose from, so you'll also have some considerations to make.

For one thing, the age requirement is 18 years or older in Alberta, Quebec, and Manitoba, and 19 or older everywhere else. No matter where you are, it's at least two years younger than the age requirement of America, which means that the closer to the border, the more likely you'll find yourself surrounded by 18- or 19-year-old Americans, which can be a turnoff or bonus depending on who you are.

First Nations territories also have their fair share of online casinos, though the gambling laws are similar enough to the surrounding provinces' to not be notable unless you were trying to open one up yourself.

If you're above the age of 19 and aren't planning on cheating or robbing, you don't have a thing to worry about other than playing responsibly, which means setting a timer, budget, limit, goal, or however you go about ensuring you don't gamble more than you can afford.

A trip to a Canadian casino should always just be about having a great time, with winning being an added bonus if you have a lucky run.

Online Casinos Available to Canadians

The availability of a online casinos in Canada is amazing, especially in comparison with stricter jurisdictions like their neighbor, the United States.

While some countries have the kind of laws that make people have to settle on inferior choices, Canada unlocks the door to every one of the best of the best casino choices.

With options that offer a massive variety of Slots that no land-based casino could ever compare to in selection and winning potential, virtual table and card games that have the same randomness and winning potential as the real thing (but often with lower minimums and higher maximums), and even a Live Casino, which live stream real-life people dealing physical cards or spinning physical reels, if you haven't given them a try as a Canadian, you're doing yourself a disservice.

Many online casino Canada options combine standard casino action with multiplayer Poker rooms and sports betting, so you can bet on literally any imaginable thing you could bet on at a brick-and-mortar casino, all from the comfort of home or from your mobile device.